Lakers Rookie Austin Reaves Explains How He Picked up Nickname ‘Hillbilly Kobe’

Hillbilly Kobe is trending.

The Los Angeles Lakers have signed Austin Reaves to a standard NBA contract. Reaves originally signed a two-way contract with Los Angeles on August 3, 2021 and appeared in five games for the Lakers at the MGM Resorts NBA Summer League, averaging 6.6 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.0 steal in 22.2 minutes.

Now that he’s on the squad, he’s revealing just how he got that nickname, Hillbilly Kobe.

See below:

Lakers rookie Austin Reaves says he has picked up the nickname Hillbilly Kobe: “I’m from Arkansas in the middle of nowhere and I grew up on a farm, so it kind of fits” pic.twitter.com/ox6ETCYpyo

— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) September 28, 2021

Twitter reacted to Reaves’ nickname.

Can we please stop invoking the name of Kobe Bryant every couple of days https://t.co/x8LR0pyJb5

— Golden is thy Al (@HashtagEJW) September 28, 2021

I played him in high school. I get it https://t.co/bkMnIg0L9r

— Right Game, Wrong Nigga (@Comedian_NickM) September 28, 2021

Can he hoop? https://t.co/6PuTslVwhN

— DeMarco Weeden (@DeMillionSensei) September 28, 2021

If your a rookie then why would you want to be referred to as "hillbilly Kobe" when you haven't done anything yet? https://t.co/Qz92mxmNzz

— Justin Jay, Markov Groomsman (@_DubzyWubzy_) September 28, 2021

If he don’t drop 50 day 1 his right to that name is revoked https://t.co/nbY5ooEggK

— 🏆 (@TheDeeAli) September 28, 2021

The Hillbilly Kobe does have a nice ring to it🔉😂 https://t.co/0ZLMzqi2bf

— UDDA (@UDDA_WINNER) September 28, 2021

I guess it’s less offensive than Redneck Mamba.

Reaves will likely spend most of the season with the Lakers’ G League affiliate, but with a nickname like Hillbilly Kobe, expect him to be called up as soon as he starts rolling.

Perfect fit for the Hillbilly Kobe.

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